Lifelike Sculptures of the Remarkable Human Form Are Modern-Day Classics

In 2015, Spanish sculptors Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia joined forces, pooling their talent to create Coderch & Malavia Sculptors. Together, they create powerful figures in three dimensions, expertly molding clay into dynamic bronze sculptures. Influenced by the classical sculpture of Rodin, Maillol, and Marini, their figurative work blends traditional techniques with modern attitudes.

The sculptors initially met while working for the same porcelain manufacturer. After discovering their common artistic goals, they decided to set forth and create their own studio. “Until then we did something that we liked, but somehow we did not feel accomplished, because our work was managed by third parties,” the sculptors tell My Modern Met. “That vertigo that the unknown produces, the transition from a comfortable situation to a very different one. . . It was like a jump to emptiness! But we did it without hesitation and we can say, today, that we are living the best stage of our lives on a professional level.”

Working from live models, the duo starts with three-dimensional sketches, subtly tweaking the pose until they arrive at the desired result. The sculpture is then modeled in clay prior to being cast in bronze. The results are dynamic and dramatic. Many pieces have a theatrical flair to their poses, and when coupled with the incredibly realistic anatomy, they make for sculptures that are distinct to Coderch & Malavia.

By joining two artistic sensibilities, the duo has amplified their results, each feeding on the creativity of the other. Their belief in the creative alliance makes their work that much stronger. By placing egos aside and trusting each other, they have been able to take their careers to a whole new level.

Viewing their work as an expression of human emotion and feeling, Coderch & Malavia are attracted to the three dimensionality of their work. “The human being is three-dimensional, that is probably the main reason why we are attracted to sculpture, it is the closest artistic representation of ourselves.”

Since 2015, Spanish sculptors Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia have worked together to create contemporary bronze sculpture.